Cramped Spaces And Weird Tile Choices—Anyone Else?
I get the appeal of wider grout lines for hiding flaws, but honestly, I think it can sometimes make a space feel even more cramped or dated, especially in smaller rooms. I've seen some older homes where a tighter grout line with slightly larger format tiles actually made everything look cleaner and more open—even if the walls weren't perfect. It took a bit more prep and patience, but the end result felt higher-end. Maybe it's just personal taste, but I’d rather put in a little extra work up front than settle for something that looks “good enough” but not quite right.
Wider grout lines do hide a lot, but I’ve noticed they can draw attention to the tile layout itself, which isn’t always great in tight spaces. Larger format tiles with minimal grout lines tend to create a more seamless look—less visual clutter, especially in bathrooms or galley kitchens. It’s a bit more work getting the substrate flat enough, but the payoff is real. I’ve seen some flips where they tried to mask uneven walls with chunky grout and it just looked busy... not my thing.
